Intel dismisses ARM threat, aims to stay on top

Intel believes it has what it takes to unsettle ARM in the tablet market. Speaking at an investors’ meeting in Santa Clara, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said Intel has decades of experience in x86.

"We have the advantage of the incumbency, the legacy support," he said.

Otellini argued that Intel has a long history with Windows and therefore ARM could find itself in a tough position when it comes to Windows tablets. It all comes down to compatibility, but at this point it is unclear whether Intel will end up with a clear advantage over ARM in the tablet market, saying ARM will face an “uphill struggle” when it comes to Windows tablets. Intel is playing the legacy card, but in the big scheme of things we are not sure that x86 compatibility will be decisive in the tablet market.

Otellini also noted that Intel’s goal is to keep Apple on board as one of its major customers.

“Our job is to insure our silicon is so compelling, in terms of running the Mac better or being a better iPad device, that as they make those decisions they can’t ignore us,” he said.

So, in addition to Windows tablets, Intel also appears to be gunning for the iPad, at least in the long run.